From: Snapshot-Content-Location: https://www.pdncwc.com/ Subject: North Coast Wine Challenge | Home Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:48:24 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----MultipartBoundary--vEvOslBsjO359FpBDEBWbXdolhdvmUKA2BN0cSqAQk----" ------MultipartBoundary--vEvOslBsjO359FpBDEBWbXdolhdvmUKA2BN0cSqAQk---- Content-Type: text/html Content-ID: Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: https://www.pdncwc.com/ =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 North Coast Wine Challenge | Home =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
top of p= age
<= div id=3D"BACKGROUND_GROUP" class=3D"BACKGROUND_GROUP">
<= div data-mesh-id=3D"SITE_HEADERinlineContent" data-testid=3D"inline-content= " class=3D"">
3D""

#PDNCWC

=
3D"=

Attention: for qu= ick response to your questions.
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge Team

contact@pdncwc.com

=E2=80= =8B

3D"2014_pd_ncwc_logo.gif"

North Coast AVAs including= Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and parts of Marin  and Solano County.=

 


2026 Results
 
are in!<= /span>


See you at the festival!

=
<= div data-mesh-id=3D"comp-m8f8w15rinlineContent-gridContainer" data-testid= =3D"mesh-container-content">
3D"NCWFF_Stacked_Logo.png"
<= !--/$-->
<= /div>

Honoring the Legacy of
Our Friend and Fellow Judge
The 2026 North Coast Press Democrat Wine Challenge is dedicated - Bob Foste= r

3D"Foster-Bob-sniffing.jpg"

Robert "Bi= g Bob" Foster
Angels Wings
July 2025

Bob was an integral part of the competition= right from the very first year. His presence was a key contributor to maki= ng this wine judging the success that it is.

Bob was the= perfect judge.

Knowledgeab= le, respectful to his peers and kind to the wines and the winemakers who en= tered.  Always seeing the positives and why wines should get Gold rath= er than Silver or Bronze.
He oozed passion and love for judging and everyone was a friend.

At this jud= ging he will be remembered with a smile and a laugh for his classic and est= atic comment he wrote for the Sweepstakes winning wine in the very first ye= ar of Press Democrat North Coast Wine Competition.
=E2=80=9CPour this over my Naked Body=E2=80=9D

Bob we love= you and you will be sadly missed.
 
In honor of Bob Foster
<= div id=3D"bgLayers_comp-ldut3rm2" data-hook=3D"bgLayers" data-motion-part= =3D"BG_LAYER comp-ldut3rm2" class=3D"QG9w8P">
5 REASO= NS TO ENTER

5 REASONS
that benefit you to enter=

1.  Exclusivity
 

This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines exclusively <= span style=3D"font-weight:bold;" class=3D"wixui-rich-text__text">produced a= nd bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region to de= termine which wines are considered the Best of the Best.  Eligibility = includes wines made in these California North Coast AVAs: 

  • Lake County

  • Mendocino County

  • Napa County

  • Sonoma County

  • Marin County

  • Solano County

 =E2=80=8B

This includes any= bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and wh= ose winery is in California.

=E2=80=8B

2.  Prestigious Recognition Only Gold Medals + Are Published<= /span>

&nbs= p;

Unlik= e other competitions, we spotlight only the top-tier wines=E2=80=94those ea= rning gold medals and higher=E2=80=94keeping your achievement exclusive and= highly marketable. Gold-winning wines are converted into 90+ point scores = and receive valuable, promotional comments from expert judges. This unique = distinction can significantly boost retail sales, making it especially bene= ficial for small wineries looking to stand out.

3. Respected Judges with Influence<= /h6>

&nbs= p;

The c= ompetition attracts top-tier wine professionals=E2=80=94retailers, distribu= tors, restaurateurs, and wine writers=E2=80=94who have a keen eye for excel= lence. Their endorsement of winning wines can open doors to greater exposur= e and market opportunities.

=
4.  Multi-Channel Promotion and Media Coverage<= /span>

 

Winning wines are publicly announced through The Pres= s Democrat, the North Bay Area=E2=80=99s leading news source. Additionally,= a professionally produced winners' video featuring Chief Judge Daryl Groom= and other experts is shared across social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouT= ube). Further promotional exposure comes through Wine Industry Advisors, No= rth Bay Business Journal and other publications, virtual newsletters, and o= nline media channels, ensuring widespread recognition.=

Subscribe to our channel: https://pdne.ws/youtube=

5.  Public Tasting

 

Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at th= e North Coast Wine & Food  Festival annually organized and hosted = by The P= ress Democrat.  This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthus= iasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines N= orthern California has to offer.

=
3D""

Alumni Judges

<= !--/$-->
=
3D"5=

Bob

Foster

 esteemed = wine judge for more than 30 years, Bob lent his expertise to competitions a= cross the country. As Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition.  = a retired prosecutor with the California Attorney General=E2=80=99s Office,= he brought integrity, discernment, and dedication to every role he served.= His legacy of excellence will long endure within our industry and our comm= unity.

3D"Vineyard

We honor the judges whose knowl= edge, integrity, and generosity of spirit helped shape our competitions. Th= eir influence remains woven into our standards, our community, and every aw= ard bestowed.


With= Deep Respect and Gratitude

We raise our glass to you!

Guides, Mentors, Friends =E2=80=94 Forever Remembered<= /span>

3D"Bill

B= ill

Hayes

A respected win= e industry leader and longtime Wine Category Manager for BevMo!, Bill devot= ed more than three decades to shaping wine retail and fostering relationshi= ps throughout the global wine community. Bill=E2=80=99s passion and dedicat= ion shaped generations of wine lovers. His spirit endures in every glass ra= ised in celebration.

=